Lakers notes: Phil Jackson accepts front office role with New York Knicks

At left, in a June 13, 1997, file photo, Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson hoists the NBA Championship trophy aloft after the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz 90-86 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. in Chicago. At center, in a June 21, 2000 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Phil Jackson waves to the crowd as the Lakers and thousands of their fans celebrate their NBA Championship in downtown Los Angeles. At right, in a June 16, 1996 file photo, Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson hoists the NBA championship trophy after the Bulls beat Seattle in Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Chicago. Carmelo Anthony says he has heard that 11-time NBA champion coach Phil Jackson will be "coming on board" in a leadership capacity with the New York Knicks, though cautioned that nothing is yet official. Anthony made the comments Wednesday, March 12, 2014, to reporters in Boston, where the Knicks are playing the Celtics. (AP Photo/File)

Still, D’Antoni spoke highly of the coach many Lakers fans wished had replaced Mike Brown after he was fired five games into last season.

“It’s a good move,” said D’Antoni, who coached the Knicks from 2008 to 2012. “He obviously is a knowledgeable basketball guy. They need that right now.”

The Knicks have become the NBA’s laughing stock, thanks to poor personnel decisions, a lack of supporting cast around Carmelo Anthony and a meddling owner in James Dolan. But plenty of Laker fans had hoped Jackson could become a savior for the organization after winning five of his 11 NBA titles in two separate stints as the team’s head coach.

Jackson, who is engaged to Lakers president Jeanie Buss, had become an unofficial consultant with the Lakers. But he had minimal influence and hadn’t spoken to vice president of player personnel Jim Buss since the Lakers interviewed Jackson.

“He has a hell of a mind,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Jackson. “Being a coach, it’s sort of a pain in the (rear). He’s a smart guy.”

Jackson will join the organization he once played for as a key bench reserve that won two NBA championships in the 1970’s. Despite Jackson’s basketball resume, however, he lacks front office experience.

“I’m happy for him,” said Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who played for Jackson from 2008 to 2011. “I’m sure the Knicks organization will benefit from his knowledge and his position. It’ll be interesting to see how involved and what kind of decisions he’ll make and what kind of relationship he’ll have with the coaching staff and players.”

The Knicks hope Jackson will attract free agents and bring more structure to the organization.

“He’s had a say in building a team and knowing what kind of players he likes,” said Lakers guard Jordan Farmar, who played for Jackson from 2006 to 2010. “I’m sure he’ll have an input on all aspects of basketball operations.”

Show me the money

Steve Nash went through relentless workouts to straighten nerve issues in his back and hamstrings, only to appear in 10 games this season. Why didn’t he just call it quits?

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“I’m not going to retire because I want the money,” Nash told Grantland.com in his latest documentary series. “It’s honest. We want honest athletes, but at the same time, you’re going to have people out there saying ‘He’s so greedy. He’s made x amount of money and he has to take this last little bit.’

“Yes, I do have to take that last little bit. I’m sorry if that is frustrating to some, but if they were in my shoes, they would do exactly the same thing.”

Nash will make $9.7 million next season, though the Lakers could waive him through the stretch provision. If that happens, the Lakers would pay Nash a third of his contract annually for the next three years.